For Ten's whole life, there was always some sort of noise surrounding him, whether it be a faint hum of electricity, the crickets chirping and cicadas buzzing, even the occasional light splash of rain on his roof. These sounds are always so pleasurable, at least for Ten.

He believes that the murderous type of solitude is constructed by the confines of silence.

Sure, the definition of solitude is when you are alone, but Ten thinks this can be interpreted by the human mind, rather than by the physicality of it. One can feel alone, even when surrounded by thousands of people, all because they don't speak with any one of them, forcing their fears down with silence.

It's your own brain that inevitably gives into the temptation of thinking you're not good enough, pretty enough, or even worth it sometimes.

What Ten despises is that one's brain is so easily tempted to crush itself with these insecurities, all because of the world it lives in, with the criticism and judgements. That is what truly brings solitude.

Ten's sleep was usually always awoken by these sounds. So it would be an understatement to say that he was surprised when he awoke to complete silence.

His still heavy eyelids slowly blinked open, registering his surroundings. That's when he realized he was still in the cold and dark metal room that he's grown comfortable with.

It's crazy to Ten how no matter how cold, dark, or creepy a place can be, everyone can succumb to its darkness to find the light hidden beneath it. Ten is too scared to admit the light that he knows is what made this metal room less fearful.

His thoughts were halted by the sound of someone's soft breathing. Ten looked up from (what he thought was a pillow) Taeyong's chest to see him sleeping soundly. It was then that Ten also registered the arms tightly holding his waist and the legs tangled with his own.

For some unknown reason, his heart started rapidly beating, and his ears grew into a cherry red. What the fuck is wrong with you Ten, he thought. He's slept like this with Jungwoo many times, but obviously they're close family. What scares Ten is that Taeyong is not family, and he's reacting like this.

Get your shit together.

Ten relaxed the longer he got the privilege of staring at Taeyong in his sleeping form. He looks so innocent in his dream state, like he's never been harmed. Ten wishes this was true. He wishes that he didn't have to help Taeyong. He wishes that Taeyong was somewhere else in the world right now, waking up in a house, playing his piano and music. He wished no one had to be helped, that everyone felt confident enough in their own head to know that they are good enough, no matter who they are. But a small part of Ten, the greedy part of Ten, is glad that he was brought to Taeyong, that he gets to help him.

He would be lying if he said that this thought didn't scare the shit out of him.

Ten jumped when Taeyong shuffled, tightening his arms around the smaller's waist as he changed their positions. Now, Ten's back is facing the door, shielded by Taeyong's larger form, with both of them lying on their sides.

Ten was certain he would die from a heart attack on the spot. He had managed to soon calm his heart, matching his breaths with the man cradling him.

Now their faces are closer than before, and Ten relaxed more as he saw Taeyong's sleeping face again, his slow breaths now fanning his cheek. From this angle, the small morning light through the window highlighted Taeyong's features. Ten couldn't help but reach a finger up to lightly brush a finger across the other's sharp jawline. Taeyong moved his head, slightly leaning into the warmth, before snapping his eyes open.

Ten shook like a leaf in a storm in Taeyong's arms, the other just staring at him intently. Ten began to withdraw his fingers from the other's jawline, before jumping at his wrist being grabbed. Ten looked at Taeyong, not knowing what will happen next. Am I gonna get hit now?

"I-I'm sorry I just-" Ten stuttered before halting his words as Taeyong laid his fingers back on his face, this time Ten's full palm was resting on Taeyong's cheek.

Something Ten hadn't seen before from the other swam in Taeyong's large brown eyes. That something faded into another unknown emotion as he quickly released Ten's hand, dropping it onto the hard mattress.

The two just stared at each other, not knowing how to approach their current situation. Ten then realized that it's still just Taeyong, before showing his signature smile.

"Good morning." Ten said, his other words being cut off by a yawn. Taeyong scoffed.

"You slept for over 12 hours and you're still yawning?" Taeyong said that like Ten was the most stupidest person in the world... which is normal really.

"Listen, I need a lot of sleep ok? Besides, I got little to no sleep the night before." Ten retorted, He got off the bed, stretching with his arms to the ceiling which magically pulled him to his tippy toes. He couldn't help but let out a large groan at the feeling of relieving some of the tension in his muscles that thin ass mattress gave him.

"And who's fault is that?" Taeyong asked snarkily.

"Well certainly not mine, I didn't ask to have a nightmare about-" Ten stopped speaking, the contents of the nightmare now flooding his mind, like he was just dropped into the ocean with a thousand pound weight tied to his feet. In front of Taeyong, the one who was in his nightmare, the intensity of the nightmare seemed to increase tenfold.

"-out? Hello? Are you fucking deaf?" Taeyong called out, unamused. Ten finally managed to swim through the dark depths of his own thoughts.

"H-huh?"

"What was the dream about?" Taeyong stood up, advancing towards him.

Why am I more scared of this Taeyong? Ten thought to himself.

"It's not important." Ten said, smiling to try and change the subject.

Taeyong opened his mouth to respond but Ten cut him off. "What time is it?" Ten asked. He got his phone, trying multiple times to be able to hold its over heated surface. He had forgotten to turn it off... not that he was in the state to attempt to. He saw that it was 7:00 AM.

Suddenly the door opened, revealing Doyoung and a nurse. A tray was being brought in, and Ten could tell that it was Taeyong's medication. The two guests in the room were too busy trying to carefully fit the wheeled tray through the doorway, that they hadn't looked up to see Ten there.

"Hello Taeyong, ready to take your meds?" Doyoung said casually. He finally looked up and morphed his face into an extremely confused expression when he saw Ten standing next to Taeyong.

"Ten? What are you doing here? I thought your sessions don't start till 1?"

At the sound of Ten's name, the nurse helping Doyoung also looked up. When she saw Ten, she started giggling. From what Ten has heard around the office, he knows that the nurse will go gossip about her seeing him here. He inwardly cursed.

"Hey Doyoung... It's um... it's a long story." Ten nervously chuckled. He heard Taeyong's scoff next to him, and he secretly reached a hand over to pinch his side. Taeyong looked at Ten with a face that said, 'I'm gonna fucking kill you'. Ten responded with a smile, which brought another unknown emotion to swim in Taeyong's eyes. Ten smiled wider.

"Ok..." Doyoung said, looking at Ten suspiciously. Ten responded with a smile that says, 'I'm begging you'.

Finally, Doyoung let up, turning to the nurse next to him. "Alright, Lisa?" Lisa nodded and approached Taeyong with the cart.

In all the time Ten has been around Taeyong, he noticed that his eyes convey all his emotions. Whether it's, contemplation, hesitation, amusement, it will all be seen in Taeyong's eyes. Ten can't tell you how or why, but he knows it's there. Most of the time, his eyes hold anger.

But this anger, the anger that Ten sees in Taeyong's eyes right now as Lisa assorts his meds, is much different to the one Ten always receives. The anger that Ten receives is child-play compared to the one right now. It's filled with nothing but unbridled hatred, the pure want to hurt.

Lisa finished assorting meds, ready to give it to Taeyong. Ten got the feeling that Lisa has never given Taeyong his medications before judging by her shaking hands.

****

Taeyong scowled at the meds. He could feel the sudden rage, and he knew this would end bad. Even if he tried to stop it, he knew that it would be of no use. The unfamiliarity with this nurse was threatening Taeyong for a reason even he didn't even know.

This was gonna be another episode. He could already feel his vision slowly dissipating with black, tunneling in from the pure rage. He could feel the pull of his hand raising, ready to hurt the person in front of him.

He couldn't register anything, nothing was in his control anymore, his body fully given into the dark confines of his brain.

But before anything happened, before any damage could be done, his view was slowly given back to him, bit by bit. The black in his vision slowly being fought by the light. When he came back to his senses, he saw Ten.

****

Ten could sense something was wrong when he saw Taeyong just staring at his medications, not grabbing them. He looked at Doyoung.

"Doyoung, something isn't right." he whispered anxiously.

Doyoung nodded, "I know, I see it too. Taeyong doesn't do well around new people."

"So why the fuck did you bring a new nurse?!" Ten asked, astonished.

"The last nurse quit, Lisa was the only volunteer to help. It's always been this way, Ten. Lisa knows what's coming, everyone does, when they first meet Taeyong. The only person who hasn't been injured is you."

Ten stared at Doyoung, not able to respond. But before he could fix his mess of thoughts, he noticed Taeyong.

Taeyong had his fist and jaw clenched, his eyes looked like they were about to shoot lasers. Ten panicked. He frantically looked around the room, his eyes finally landed on the stress cherry resting on the bed. He grabbed it, looking back at Taeyong. Now, Taeyong's eyes had gone completely dark, his knuckles completely white.

Ten threw all his reasoning out the window, dropping the stress cherry and running to Taeyong. From his peripheral, he could see Doyoung moving to stop him, but that didn't matter to him, what mattered was stopping Taeyong.

He stepped in between Lisa and Taeyong, putting his hands on Taeyong's cheeks. Harsh breaths were now fanning his cheeks due to their close proximity.

"Taeyong, hey... hey look at me." Ten called out. Taeyong's eyes flicked from Lisa to Ten's face in front of him.

"It's ok, Taeyong, it's ok. I need you to get out of your own head alright?"

Ten could see the moment Taeyong got out of his trance, his eyes brightening to their original color again, his breaths marginally slowing. His jaw became lax again.

"Hey..." Ten sighed, softly smiling. Taeyong stared at him, the same unknown emotion back in his eyes. Ten looked down, seeing his clenched fists. He grabbed his fists, coaxing them open with the gentle pry of his fingers.

Doyoung was beyond surprised, his eyes comically wide when Ten looked at him.

Ten turned around, softly slipping his hands out of Taeyong's. But before his hands lost all contact, they were harshly grabbed by Taeyong's again. Ten turned back to him, looking confused. Taeyong didn't say anything, but he didn't have to, Ten nodded reassuringly and gave Taeyong one of his hands before turning back around.

"Lisa, right?" Ten asked.

"Y-yes." Lisa said. She looked like she was speaking to a celebrity, unbeknownst to Ten.

"I'm Ten, nice to meet you." he smiled. He was going to offer his right hand before he remembered that Taeyong was still holding it, the tug he received when he tried to move it serving as his reminder. He gave his left hand instead.

Lisa looked at his hand before setting down the meds and shaking it. "I know who you are!" She smiled back. Ten laughed.

"Ok, Lisa, well how about I give Taeyong his meds?" Ten asked.

"Sure! He just needs two mood stabilizers today." Lisa replied, handing the tablets to Ten. Ten thanked her before turning back to Taeyong. Lisa wheeled a cart closer, the tray on it having nothing but the pill container and a cup of water. Ten frowned and turned to Doyoung.

"Shouldn't he eat before taking them?" Ten asked.

"Taeyong never ate his food no matter how much we tried to get him to. We eventually just gave up and gave him the meds with more water to make up for lack of sustenance." Doyoung replied, looking at Taeyong.

Ten shook his head before turning back to Lisa. "Lisa, can you please get him some food?" Ten asked. Doyoung opened his mouth to protest but quickly shut it when Ten looked at him sternly.

Lisa nodded her head, rushing out the door. Ten put the meds back on the tray. "We'll give you the meds after you eat, yeah?" Ten looked at Taeyong.

Taeyong didn't speak, which surprised Ten. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't expecting a scoff. He soon realized it was because of the fact that there was another person in the room from the way his eyes quickly glanced at Doyoung. Just how different is he around others? Ten thought to himself.

"Now is the time when you usually freshen up right?" Ten asked, although it was more directed towards Doyoung since he knew Taeyong wouldn't speak. Doyoung nodded.

"Ok, you can do that then, while you wait for the food." Ten nodded at both Taeyong and Doyoung. Taeyong walked ahead. Doyoung stopped in front of Ten.

"Since when did you make the rules?" he asked with zero malice in it.

Ten smiled. "Since you guys didn't change them." he retorted before remembering something, his smile becoming a frown. "Hey, how do you trust Taeyong going out like that?" He said, looking at Taeyong waiting by the door.

"It's always been like that. When Taeyong gets offered to shower, he never refuses. At that point he cares about nothing but getting cleaned. If there's one thing I've picked up about Taeyong, it's that he loves cleanliness." Doyoung answered.

Ten nodded. He remembered the pile of broken things, how every single mess made in his room is always on one side of the wall. He smiled to himself when he realized that there are no more broken things ever since the old one got cleaned.

Doyoung watched Ten get lost in his own thoughts, before leading Taeyong to the showers.

Ten sat on Taeyong's bed, waiting for everyone to come back from where they were sent to.

Not much later, Lisa came in with a plate of food. Ten got up, taking the food from Lisa with a smile. "Thank you, Lisa, you can go if you'd like." Lisa nodded and left. Ten moved back to the cart, putting the food on the tray. As he was doing this, Taeyong and Doyoung came back.

Ten smiled at Doyoung before his breath hitched seeing Taeyong.

Taeyong was wearing his normal clothes, just some grey sweatpants and a white shirt. But his hair was wet, and a towel was flung around his shoulder. Ten didn't know why this simple look made him react like that. Actually, he probably knows the reason why, but ignorance is bliss, as they all say.

Doyoung smiled and nodded at Ten before exiting the room, taking Taeyong's towel.

Ten, luckily had managed to regain his composure, breathing normally again. "Ok, now that you're all clean, ready to eat?" Ten asked.

Taeyong noticed the food and scoffed. Ten smiled. There it is.

"You were serious?"

"Taeyong, didn't I tell you yesterday? If I say I will do something, I will do it." Ten responded, patting the space on the bed next to him.

Taeyong sat down, and Ten noticed Taeyong is more compliant, only needing to be asked one time to do it. Progress, Ten thought, the smile on his face immoving.

"I heard you and Doyoung talking, you know, I guess you weren't listening though. What makes you think you can make me eat?" Taeyong asked.

Ten laughed. "Well, I know for a fact that you wanted to scoff at me like you did when I first suggested you eat something earlier, but you didn't because of Doyoung in the room. Am I wrong?"

Taeyong didn't respond, eyeing the food.

"And I have the facts." Ten said theatrically. "I know you like being clean, so how would you feel if I told you that missing a meal can affect your immune system?" Ten asked. Taeyong looked at Ten, looking quite shaken up at the thought of not being clean.

"That's just bullshit." Taeyong said.

"Do I look like I'm lying?" Ten challenged.

Taeyong's confidence crumbled as he looked at Ten's serious face. He scoffed and looked away, but gave no more arguments.

Ten smiled, scooping up some of the oatmeal. He began to fly the spoon around like an airplane, making the sound effects and everything. Taeyong looked at the flying spoon, then to Ten.

"Have I told you yet that you're really fucking dumb?" Taeyong asked.

Ten nodded, laughing, "Many times. C'mon, this plane has one destination only, and that's your stomach! Unless you want it to crash on your... newly washed skin?!" Ten asked with fake surprise.

Taeyong stared at the spoon before hesitantly opening his mouth. Ten smiled brightly as he fed Taeyong the oatmeal. Ten watched as Taeyong chewed the food, slowly. He couldn't help but coo at the way Taeyong's cheeks puffed with the food. He quickly shut up and apologized though as Taeyong scowled at him.

The feeding continued until all the oatmeal was gone, Taeyong now eating the last of his apple slice, having to yell at Ten whenever the other would laugh at him eating.

"Ok, you finished!" Ten cheered. "Ready to take your meds?" he asked, grabbing the tablets and the cup of water. He looked at Taeyong to see him looking down. "What's wrong?"

Taeyong shook his head, not looking up.

"Taeyong." Ten called, patting Taeyong's cheek. Taeyong pulled away from the touch, still looking down. "Talk to me, tell me what's wrong."

Taeyong finally looked up to Ten. "Please?" Ten asked, putting on the best kitten eyes he could muster. It seemed to work as Taeyong finally spoke.

"They just... They don't do anything."

"These?" Ten held out the tablets.

Taeyong nodded.

"So... when you take these, you actually don't feel any different? Not even the slightest?" Ten asked.

Taeyong shook his head.

It was quiet for a moment before some shuffling was heard. Taeyong looked up to see Ten putting the tablets in the empty oatmeal bowl. Ten saw the confusion in the other's eyes.

"Well, if you really, don't feel any difference, why take them?" Ten said softly.

Taeyong stared at Ten, the other simply smiling back.

****

When Ten was heading home, he thought about Taeyong with a smile on his face... as usual. He had decided to walk home. He took the bus there, letting Jungwoo take the car, and while he could take another bus, he wanted a change of scenery.

He had gotten off work earlier today, considering he... slept with Taeyong. Ten choked on his own spit at the thought, looking like a lunatic on the streets.

Calm the fuck down, Ten. It's literal, not sexual.

After he finally regained his composure, ignoring the many stares in his direction, he began walking again. He soon entered a street that had little to no one walking there. He suddenly felt eerie, feeling his strides get longer and faster.

He suddenly bumped into a woman, nearly knocking her over. (He took more of a fall, but he like to think that he didn't)

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry, I should've looked at where I was going!" Ten apologized. His words came to a halt from surprise though when he looked at the woman. He couldn't put a finger on where he had seen her before. Maybe he hasn't seen her at all, and she just looks like someone he knows.

"No, you're fine!" Are you ok? You seem more affected than I am." The woman looked just as concerned and apologetic.

Ten chose to ignore the unintentional stab at his size. "I'm ok, I'm sorry, have a good day."

The woman smiled warmly and walked away. Ten found himself looking at her retreating figure. Why the hell does she look so familiar?

Ten couldn't get the image of that woman out of his mind. This would haunt him for the rest of his life if he doesn't figure this out. It's similar to the feeling where you have the tune of a song stuck in your head but you can't find the title of it, or when you watch a movie or show and can't figure out what other film a certain actor is from.

He decided to take a detour, going to Jungwoo's cafe before heading home. He figured some good old coffee would punch the answer into his brain.

When he walked into the cafe, his eyes immediately searched for his brother. He couldn't find him and figured he was in the back.

Ten's thoughts were quickly consumed again by the wonder of who that woman was. It became his turn to order.

"H-hey Ten!" Johnny called, a little too elated to see him.

"Hi, can I get a nonfat Americano please? And a chocolate pastry." Ten said, not really paying any attention to Johnny. Maybe she's been here before? I've passed her? No, cause then maybe she'd recognize me. Or maybe not?

"Coming right up!" Johnny said. He tried to say anything to keep talking with him (Even though though it's a one man conversation)

"H-hey, I like your outfit. Blue and white huh? It reminds me of Yu-Gi-Oh! You know the blue eyes white dragon? That card is definitely my-"

Ten was too drowned in his thoughts to even be able to hear Johnny. He blindly thanked him, putting the exact amount of cash on the counter before heading to his usual table.

"Favorite..." Johnny said, sorrowfully watching as Ten walked away.

"H-hey, I love Yu-Gi-Oh. The Time Wizard is my favorite, it's a gamble to play but it can completely turn the game around you know?" The next boy in line said, walking up to the counter. Truthfully, he didn't even like coffee, but he came here for a chance to talk to the hot guy in front of him.

He smiled proudly to himself, as this was the most confident thing he managed to say. He just hoped Johnny could hear him out well, so that maybe they can talk more.

Johnny didn't hear anything the boy in front of him said, too immersed in staring wistfully at Ten. He jumped at seeing the customer there, remembering his job.

"So sorry about that! What can I get you today?" Johnny robotically smiled. The boy's heart both sank from the unintentional rejection and flew at the man's heart-wrenching smile.

Johnny had to strain his ears to hear the man. All he heard was incoherent mumbles.

"I'm sorry, could you repeat that?" he asked.

"W-watermelon smoothie p-please." the boy tried again.

Johnny suddenly laughed. "Sure thing, kid!" he said, tapping away at the POS system.

The boy's face was as red as the drink he ordered as he frustratedly threw his cash on the counter. (He gently placed it down. He didn't want to seem to angry)

He stomped away, plopping down in his seat.

Kid? Kid?! I'm 20 years old!

He crossed his arms with a pout.

Johnny Seo, I will do it... I will make you like the great Mark Lee.

****

Ten grew frustrated with the inability to recognize the woman. He drank half his coffee already out of blind rage, standing up deftly when he felt the need to pee. God damn bladder.

He rushed to the bathroom, not hearing the various noises that should be enough to warn someone that the bathroom is in use.

He roughly opened the door, only to be petrified.

What... the fuck?!

He walked in on Lucas planting multiple hickeys on Jungwoo's neck, adding to the already high sum. Jungwoo had his head thrown back in pleasure, backed up against the wall with his hands tugging harshly at Lucas' hair. Both of them were too lost in each other to notice the petrified Ten in the doorway.

"What... the fuck?!" Ten thought again, but this time out loud. The other two jumped away from each other in surprise, Jungwoo especially.

"T-Ten! What are you doing here?" Jungwoo sputtered, looking comically petrified. His hair was all mussed, his lips swollen and red, and there were a multitude of marks scattered across his neck.

"I came to the bathroom to piss, because I'm pretty damn sure that's what bathrooms are for." Ten said.

The two just stared at him apologetically.

"Woo, I'm both excited and disappointed in you. Right now, I'm not sure which one is winning." Ten said, shaking his head.

Jungwoo nervously chuckled. He tried fixing his hair by running his fingers through it.

Ten would love to scold them a little more, maybe a bit of teasing, but that all threw out the window when he felt the reason why he came there in the first place.

"Ok, now I really need you two out, please." He said, shooing them out like flies. He stopped Jungwoo in the doorway quickly.

"Don't think you've escaped my pestering." He said devilishly, kissing Jungwoo on the cheek as a goodbye before shoving him out and slamming the door. He laughed when he heard Jungwoo groan at what he meant.

Ten will never let Jungwoo live this down.